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A weather warning over heavy storms heading towards Leicestershire has been extended by the Met Office.

The forecasters now believe the weather warning for possible disruption may stretch further south and east than previously, plus the time frame for the yellow alert has been extended to 9pm this evening.

They say while most places will miss the worst, residents should be aware of the risk of localised flash flooding, while frequent lightning, large hail and strong winds could be additional hazards.

All of this could lead to some flooding of homes, businesses and transport networks, and disruption to power is also possible.

A spokesman said: "Hot, moist air spreading north and northeast across the UK today will produce thunderstorms, initially organised within large areas of rain before becoming more isolated this afternoon.

"Rainfall will be very variable, but some places could see around 30 mm in an hour and more than 50 mm in a few hours.

"The thunderstorms later this afternoon are likely to be most widespread across northern England and Scotland, and it is here that there is the greatest risk of disruption.

"Further south, they will be much more isolated, with disruption less likely, across the rest of England."